Modular Apparatus and System for Creating a Custom Military Service Ring

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a modular ring apparatus and system solely for creating a specifically identified custom military service ring. The modular ring apparatus includes a circular ring body, an upper indicia display plate, and at least one side indicia display plate. The circular ring body includes a flat upper surface to which a corresponding upper indicia display plate is attached by means of an interconnecting post-and-aperture assembly. The upper indicia display plate is smaller than the flat upper surface. The circular ring body also includes at least one side recess to which at least one corresponding side indicia display plate is attached by means of another interconnecting post-and-aperture assembly. The system may include additional upper indicia display plates and additional side indicia display plates.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/453,403 filed on Mar. 16, 2011 and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/422,879 filed on Mar. 16, 2012. The applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of jewelry and more particularly to a specific modular system used exclusively for creating a specific modular ring apparatus disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

Personalized military rings are known in the art and typically have one or more customizable aspects with the level of customization varying for different manufacturers and for varying styles of rings. For example, some jewelers offer school-style U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Coast Guard rings. After the individual selects the military branch, he or she then selects a ring style (e.g., rectangle or oval). The individual then selects a side panel for each side of the ring. For example, if the individual selects the U.S. Army, side panel options include 1st Infantry, 82nd Airborne, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 18th MP Brigade. Other customizable aspects include stone color (e.g., birthstone), metal quality, wording around the stone, and inside engraving (e.g., name or initials). The school-style type military rings offered by these jewelers and many other manufactures are not desirable because they generally look gaudy and cheap.

Further, other ring designers offer U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine Classic Military Rings. The Classic Military Rings are solid metal and are designed to look cleaner and higher-end than the school-style military ring. The customization of these rings, however, is limited and the individual can select only a single insignia to be displayed. For example, for U.S. Army, the individual may select an insignia from the following types: traditional insignia (e.g., Army, Army National Guard, Army Vietnam, Army Reserve), historic insignia (e.g., Army Air Force, Women's Army Corps, Army Security Agency), special forces insignia (e.g., Army Ranger, Special Forces), badges/medals insignia (e.g., Drill Sergeant, Combat Medic, Parachutist), branch and command insignia (e.g., Cavalry, Army JAG Corps, Army Engineer, Military Police Corps), rank insignia (e.g., Army Staff Sergeant, Army Colonel), division/brigade/regiment combat team insignia (e.g., 1st Cavalry Division, 25th Infantry Division), or POW/MIA insignia. The only other customizable aspects of the ring are the metal choice and a diamond option. These rings are not desirable because they are capable of displaying only a single insignia.

Therefore, it is desirable to have military service ring having a plurality of customizable aspects and interchangeable insignia.

Further, it is desirable to have a military service ring that is commemorative.

Moreover, it is desirable to have a high-end customizable military service ring capable of displaying more than one insignia and/or pieces of information.

Terms of Art

As used herein, the term “interchangeable” means any removable component which structurally conformed or subject to specifications to enable it to be replaced.

As used herein, the term “modular” means comprised of removable and attachable parts which may be substituted during manufacturing or by an end user.

As used herein, the term “plate” means any structure capable of displaying any ornamentation or indicia.

As used herein, the term “recess” means any identifiable geometric surface variation.

As used herein, the terms “securing” or “securely” mean any geometric or physical characteristic which facilitates coupling, mounting, affixation, selective attachment or permanent attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a modular ring apparatus and system solely for creating a specifically identified custom military service ring. The modular ring apparatus includes a circular ring body, an upper indicia display plate, and at least one side indicia display plate. The circular ring body includes a flat upper surface to which a corresponding upper indicia display plate is attached by means of an interconnecting post-and-aperture assembly. The upper indicia display plate is smaller than the flat upper surface. The circular ring body also includes at least one side recess to which at least one corresponding side indicia display plate is attached by means of another interconnecting post-and-aperture assembly. The system may include additional upper indicia display plates and additional side indicia display plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring apparatus for creating a custom military service ring.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a modular ring system for creating a custom military service ring.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring apparatus for creating a custom military service ring.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring apparatus for creating a custom military service ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a modular system for creating a custom military service ring, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally components may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of modular ring 100 and apparatus made pursuant to the system claimed for creating a custom military service ring. Modular ring 100 is comprised of circular ring body 10 which is a solid closed loop ring having a flattened upper surface 40 with at least one upper aperture 90. Circular ring body 10 also includes at least one side recess, shown in the exemplary embodiment as a first side recess 20 and second side recess 30. In the embodiment shown, side recesses 20 and 30 are indentations in outer wall 12 which allow interchangeable military insignia to be placed into side recesses 20 and 30. In various embodiments, functionally equivalent geometric elements may be used such as grooves, apertures or other geometric adaptions. Side recess 20 includes side aperture 70 and side recess 30 include side aperture 80. Various embodiments may have fewer or more recesses or apertures, and the recesses and apertures may vary in shape and size.

Side recesses 20 and 30 allow for interchangeable military insignia to be selectively and/or interchangeably affixed into the sides of the circular ring body 10. In the embodiment shown, side recesses 20 and 30 are semi-square shaped. In other embodiments, side recesses 20 and 30 may be square, trapezoidal, triangular, elliptical, circular or other shapes known in the art.

Various embodiments may include optional ornamental indicia, such as a recessed surface component 50 adapted to receive pigment. In one embodiment, recessed surface component 50 is located on flattened upper surface 40. The recessed surface component 50 may be, but is not limited to grooves, recesses, apertures and engraving.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring 100 including an upper indicia display plate 130 a. Modular ring 100 also includes at least one side indicia display plate, shown in in the exemplary embodiment as a pair of side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c.

In the embodiment shown, upper and side indicia display plates 130 a-130 c are removably connected to circular ring body 10 but may be connected permanently by means of adhesive, welding, solder, interlocking components, structurally integrated components, press fitting, stamping or any other methods known in the art. In the embodiment shown upper indicia display plate 130 a is circular and side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c are rectangular, but in other embodiments upper and side indicia display plates may be trapezoidal, square, rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or any other geometric shape used in the art. Various embodiments include single or multiple upper indicia display plates as well as single or multiple side indicia display plates.

In the embodiment shown, upper and side indicia display plates 130 a-130 c, may be comprised of gold, platinum, titanium, silver, brass, white gold, tungsten carbide, stainless steel or any other metal known to those skilled in the art. Upper and side indicia display plates 130 a-130 c and word insignia 120 may be minted, molded, or created using another process known in the art.

The dimensions of upper indicia display plate 130 a are smaller than those of the flattened upper surface 40, as upper indicia display plate 130 a secures to flattened upper surface 40 through an upper mounting post 131 a attached to upper indicia display plate 130 a. This upper mounting post 131 a can be integrally formed with upper indicia display plate 130 a and is adapted to be inserted into upper aperture 90. Upper mounting post 131 a may also include an upper mating protuberance to interact with upper aperture 90.

In the embodiment shown, side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c secure to first side recess 20 and second side recess 30, respectively, through side mounting posts 131 b and 131 c attached to side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c, respectively. The side mounting posts 131 b and 131 c can be integrally formed with side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c and are adapted to be inserted into side aperture 70 and side aperture 80, respectively. Side mounting posts 131 b and 131 c may also include side mating protuberances to interact with side aperture 70 and side aperture 80. While the side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c of the exemplary embodiment are planar, in other embodiments side indicia display plates 130 b and 130 c may be slightly curved, having an arc of less than 10 degrees of curvature.

In an exemplary embodiment, upper and side indicia display plates 130 a-130 c depict an image that represents a military specialty, unit, rank or rate, combat, service campaign, medal or award, or another image of significance would be available. Additionally, upper and side indicia display plates 130 a-130 c may be any type of military insignia, for example, traditional U.S. Army insignia, modern U.S. Army insignia, U.S. Navy insignia, U.S. Marine Corps insignia, traditional U.S. Air Force insignia, modern U.S. Air Force insignia, and U.S. Coast Guard insignia.

In one alternate embodiment, flattened upper surface 40 may have a recess adapted to receive upper indicia display plate 130 a. The dimensions of the recess correspond to the dimensions of upper indicia display plate 130 a. In one embodiment, when upper indicia display plate 130 a is positioned in the recess, an upper surface of upper indicia display plate 130 a is flush with the remainder of flattened upper surface 40 surrounding the recess. In an alternate embodiment, an upper surface of upper indicia display plate 130 a may be slightly raised over the remainder of flattened upper surface 40.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring 100. In this view, flattened upper surface 40, upper aperture 90, optional recessed surface component 50, first side recess 20, side aperture 70, second side recess 30 and side aperture 80 are clearly visible.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular ring 100. In this view, flattened upper surface 40, first side recess 20 and side aperture 70 are clearly visible. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular ring apparatus comprised of: a circular ring body including a flattened upper surface having at least one upper aperture adapted to receive an upper mounting post, and at least one side recess, wherein said at least one side recess includes a side aperture adapted to receive at least one side mounting post; an upper indicia display plate having said upper mounting post securely attached thereto, wherein dimensions of said upper indicia display plate are less than dimensions of said flattened upper surface and wherein said upper indicia display plate is configured to be secured to said flattened upper surface; and at least one side indicia display plate having said side mounting post securely attached thereto, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate is configured to be secured within said at least one side recess.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate is planar.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate has an arc of less than 10 degrees of curvature.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper indicia display plate includes an integrally formed upper mounting post and wherein said at least one side indicia display plate includes an integrally formed side mounting post.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said integrally formed upper mounting post is comprised of a mating protuberance.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said integrally formed side mounting post is comprised of a mating protuberance.
 7. A modular ring system comprised of: a circular ring body including a flattened upper surface having at least one upper aperture to receive an upper mounting post, and at least one side recess, wherein said at least one side recess includes a side aperture adapted to receive at least one side mounting post; at least one upper indicia display plate having said upper mounting post securely attached thereto, wherein dimensions of said at least one upper indicia display plate are less than dimensions of said flattened upper surface and wherein said at least one upper indicia display plate is configured to be secured to said flattened upper surface; and at least one side indicia display plate having said side mounting post securely attached thereto, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate is configured to be secured within said at least one side recess.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate is planar.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate has an arc of less than 10 degrees of curvature.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one upper indicia display plate includes an integrally formed upper mounting post.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said integrally formed upper mounting post is comprised of an upper mating protuberance.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate includes an integrally formed side mounting post.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said integrally formed side mounting post is comprised of a side mating protuberance.
 14. The system of claim 7, wherein said flattened upper surface further includes at least one recessed surface component adapted to receive pigment, wherein said at least one recessed surface component is selected from a group consisting of: grooves, recesses, apertures and engraving.
 15. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one side indicia display plate is trapezoidal in shape.
 16. The system of claim 7, wherein said flattened upper surface includes a recess corresponding to dimensions of said at least one upper indicia display plate such that said upper indicia display plate fits within said recess.
 17. The system of claim 7, wherein said flattened upper surface includes a recess corresponding to dimensions of said at least one upper indicia display plate such that said upper indicia fits within said recess and an upper surface of upper indicia display plate is flush with said flattened upper surface.
 18. The system of claim 7, which includes a plurality of interchangeable upper indicia display plates.
 19. The system of claim 7, which includes a plurality of interchangeable side indicia display plates.
 20. The system of claim 7 wherein said at least one upper indicia display plate and said at least one side indicia display plate are secured to said circular ring body by a securing means selected from a group consisting of: adhesive, welding, solder, interlocking components, structurally integrated components, press fitting and stamping. 